Police: Patient brought heroin to hospital

MUNCIE, Ind. – Authorities said a Muncie woman smuggled heroin into IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital when she was admitted as a patient, and later overdosed in her hospital room.

Lavonda Sue Burris, 51, of the 2500 block of West White River Boulevard, was arrested Monday on preliminary charges of unlawful possession of a syringe and possession of paraphernalia.

In an affidavit, an IU Health BMH police officer wrote that Burris overdosed in her third-floor hospital room on Nov. 3.

Investigators found “a pop can that had been cut in half” and “held the heroin, and was heated with a lighter.”

After she was revived by hospital staff, Burris allegedly admitted to bringing “the heroin in with her when she was admitted.”

Burris said clear liquid found in a syringe was her “second hit of heroin,” but tests reflected it was not heroin, the report said.

The Muncie woman – who last year was charged with theft in Muncie City Court, and entered into a pre-trial diversion program – was being held in the Delaware County jail on Tuesday under a $7,500 bond.